Devices formed of interconnected components

ABSTRACT

Devices formed from interconnected components. Each assembled device comprises a yoke component, a boss component and an axle bolt. The yoke component comprising: a. carabiner body that includes a back, an opening, and a yoke formation. The yoke formation is constituted by a U-shaped section that is open to the outside of the body, and which defines a space between two legs, the legs having bearing surfaces through each of which a respective axle bore is formed. The back extends from the yoke formation to an end at a first limit of the opening. A spur extends from the yoke formation to an end at a second limit of the opening. A gate on the body can pivot between a closed position, in which it closes the opening, and an open position in which an object can be passed through the opening into a space within the body. The boss component has flat, parallel external bearing surfaces, an axle bore extending through the boss component, the axle bore opening at each bearing surface. The axle bolt passes through the axle bores in the yoke and boss component.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to devices formed of interconnectedcomponents. It has particular, but not exclusive, application tocomponents used in the creation of devices of personal protectiveequipment or devices in a rigging system used, for example by a personworking at height or by a climber.

Summary of the Prior Art

People performing rope access in buildings, arborists, climbers, amongstothers, require a wide range of devices to ensure that they can be safein the many circumstances in which they find themselves. Conventionally,the range of devices available has been limited by the ability ofmanufacturers to design, manufacture and stock a range of devices, someof which may sell only infrequently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aim of this invention is to provide a system by means of which arange of components can be interconnected in diverse configurations tocreate a wide range of devices. This allows a greater range of devicesto be created more cost-effectively than is the case when devices haveto be designed and manufactured individually.

To this end, from a first aspect, this invention provides an assembleddevice comprising a yoke component, a boss component and an axle bolt,the yoke component preferably comprising one or more of: a. a carabinerbody that includes a back, an opening, and a yoke formation, wherein: i.the yoke formation is constituted by a U-shaped section that is open tothe outside of the body, and which defines a space between two generallyparallel legs, the legs having parallel, facing bearing surfaces througheach of which a respective coaxial axle bore is formed; ii. the backextends from the yoke formation to an end that defines a first limit ofthe opening;

and iii. a spur extends from the yoke formation to an end that defines asecond limit of the opening; b. a gate carried on the body and which canbe pivoted between a closed position, in which it closes the opening,and an open position in which an object can be passed through theopening into or out of a space within the body; the boss componenthaving flat, parallel external bearing surfaces, an axle bore extendingthrough the boss component, the axle bore opening at each bearingsurface and extending normal thereto; and the axle bolt passes throughthe axle bores in the yoke component and the boss component.

A device embodying the invention may further include a locking screwthat engages with the axle bolt, typically its head, to resist orprevent removal of the axle bolt from the axle bore.

The yoke component and/or the boss component may include one or more ofa carabiner body, a swivel, a hook or an eye.

In some embodiments, the yoke component can be connected to a pluralityof boss components. That is, it may serve as a connector instead of afunctional component of the device. Likewise, the boss component can, insome embodiments, be connected to a plurality of yoke components.

Typically, an assembled device according to any preceding claim that ispart of a rigging system for use in climbing, rope access or working atheight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a yoke component for use in construction of a deviceembodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded version of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a first device that incorporates the yoke component of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a second device that incorporates the yoke component ofFIG. 1 and a swivel;

FIG. 6 shows a third device that incorporates the yoke component of FIG.1, a swivel and a second yoke component;

FIG. 7 shows a fourth device that incorporates a yoke component of FIG.1 and a swivel that forms a boss and is connected to a carabiner body;

FIG. 8 shows a fifth device that incorporates two yoke components ofFIG. 1 and a connector component;

FIG. 9 shows a connector that constitutes a boss component of the deviceof FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows a sixth device that incorporates two yoke components ofFIG. 1 and an alternative connector component;

FIG. 11 shows a connector that constitutes a boss component of theembodiment of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 shows a seventh device that incorporates three yoke componentsof FIG. 1 and an alternative connector component;

FIG. 13 shows a connector that constitutes a boss component of theembodiment of FIG. 12;

FIGS. 14 and 15 show an alternative application of a yoke componentshown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 16 shows a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of the invention in which a connectorconstitutes a yoke component; and

FIG. 18 shows a connector being a yoke component of the embodiments ofFIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail, by way ofexample, and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

With reference first to FIG. 1, the yoke component that can beconsidered to be a modified carabiner. As with a standard carabiner, theyoke component includes a body 2 that is very approximately C-shaped,with an opening. A gate 12 is carried on the body 2, which can bepivoted between a closed position (towards which it is biased by aspring), in which it closes the opening, and an open position in whichan object can be passed through the opening into or out of a space 14within the body 2. The gate 12 includes a locking barrel 16 thatprevents movement of the gate 12 from the closed position until it isoperated by a user.

The body 2 further includes a yoke formation, indicated generally at 20.The yoke formation 20 comprises a U-shaped section that is open to theoutside of the body. The U-shaped section defines a space 22 between twogenerally parallel legs 24, 26. End portions of the legs 24, 26 areformed with parallel, mutually facing bearing surfaces 28, 30. A backportion 10 of the body 2 extends from the U-shaped section of yokeformation 20, extending to an end portion that defines a first limit ofthe opening. A spur 8 extends from one of the parallel legs 26,extending to an end portion that defines a second limit of the opening.In this embodiment, the gate 12 is pivotally connected to the spur 8 andcan close against a nose formed on the back 10.

A respective axle bore is formed through each of the legs 24, 26, thebores being coaxial, lying on a component axis, and perpendicular to thebearing surfaces 28, 30. An outer part 34 (that is, a part that isremote from the second leg) of the axle bore in the first leg 24 iscounterbored. An outer part 36 of the axle bore in the second leg 26 hasa hexagonal cross-section. The inner portions of each bore is ofcircular section and of lesser diameter than the outer portions. Ata_(pp)ed transverse bore 38 extends into the first leg 24 and has acounterbored section adjacent to its opening. The transverse bore 38intersects with the counterbored portion 34 of the axle bore, with theaxis of the transverse bore 38 extending adjacent to the counterboredportion 34. A respective notch 32 is formed in each leg 24, 26,extending from an outer end surface of the leg and intersecting therespective bearing surface 28, 30.

The yoke component further includes an axle bolt 44. The axle bolt 44has a head 46 similar to that of a cap screw with a hexagonal recess forreceiving a drive bit. A circumferential concave arcuate groove 48extends around an outside peripheral wall of the head. A cylindricalshaft 50 extends from the head 46 and terminates in an externallythreaded section 52 remote from the head 46. The threaded section 52 isof smaller diameter than the shaft 50 such that a shoulder is formedbetween the threaded section 52 and the shaft 50.

To assemble the yoke component to the condition shown in FIG. 1, aself-locking nut 56 is placed into the outer part 36 of the axle bore inthe second leg 26. The nut 56 is selected to have a close fit within thebore such that its rotation within the bore is substantially preventedand to have a thread that corresponds to that of the axle bolt 44. Theaxle bolt is then inserted, threaded section 52 first, through the axlebore in the first leg 24, and the threaded section 52 is screwed intothe nut 56 and tightened such that the nut 56 abuts the shoulder of theaxle bolt 44 and the head 48 is received within the counterbored portion34 of the axle bore, in which it is a close fit. A cap screw 60 is thenscrewed into the transverse bore 38, where it may be secured by threadlocking compound, such that its head is received within the counterboredsection of the transverse bore 38. The shank of the cap screw 60 passesalong a section of the concave groove 48 of the axle bolt 44, and servesto lock the axle bolt 44 against removal from the axle bore.

A variety of boss components can be connected to the yoke component tomake a functional device. A simple example is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Inthis example, the boss component is a spacer 80 that is formed from asolid body. The body has flat, parallel external surfaces 82 that arespaced apart by a distance just less than the spacing between thebearing surfaces 28, 30 of the yoke formation. An axle bore 84 extendsthrough the spacer 80, opening at each of the flat external surfaces 82.A respective locking tab 86 projects from each flat external surfaceadjacent to the opening of the axle bore 84. The spacer has curvedexternal surfaces shaped such that a rope or cable can be carried onthem with a suitable bend radius and low sliding friction, and preventsthe rope from urging the axle bolt 44 to rotate.

To assemble this device, the procedure set forth in the last-but-onepreceding paragraph is followed, but prior to the axle bolt 44 beinginserted, the spacer 80 is placed between the bearing surfaces 28, 30,with each locking tab 86 entering a respective notch 32. The axle bore84 of the spacer is, in this position, aligned with the axle bores 24,26 of the legs, which allows the axle bolt 44? to be inserted, andassembly of the device to proceed as described. Engagement of the tabs86 within the notches 32 prevents rotation of the spacer 80 about theaxle bolt 44.

It will be seen that the device described provides two separate spacesthrough which an item can be passed; a first space 14 in the body 2 anda second space 22 in the yoke 20. Typically, a flexible fabric or metalconnector will be received semi-permanently in the second space 22.

This will remain in place during normal use of the device, but if itbecomes worn or damaged, it can be replaced in a maintenance operationby removal of the cap screw 60 and the axle bolt 44, which allows thespacer 80 to come free from the yoke. The device can be re-assembled forsubsequent use. By opening the gate 12, items can be passed into and outof the first space 14 during normal use, as is the case with aconventional carabiner.

The significant features of the yoke component are the bearing surfaces28, 30, the axle bore and the axle bolt 44. Provided that these featuresare present, a yoke component may have many alternative configurations.Similarly, the significant features of the spacer 80 that allow it to becompatible with the yoke component are the flat, parallel externalsurfaces 82 and the axle bore 84. Provided that these features arepresent, a boss component may have many alternative configurations. Notethat the tabs 86 are not essential because in some cases, it is intendedthat the boss component can rotate about the axle bolt 44, in whichcase, the tabs will not be present.

In the device of FIG. 5, the yoke component is identical to that ofFIGS. 1 and 2. The boss component is constituted by a swivel, havingfirst and second elements 102, 104 interconnected for free rotationabout a swivel axis. The second element 104 is in the form of an eye towhich other components can be connected. The first element 102 is a bossthat includes the parallel external surfaces and the axle bore, but not,in this case, the locking tabs. The axle bore is transverse to andintersects the swivel axis, such that the eye can rotate freely withrespect to the body 2 and can pivot to a limited extent about the axlebolt 44.

The device shown in FIG. 6 includes a first yoke component that isidentical to that of FIGS. 1 and 2. The boss component is constituted bya swivel 100, having first and second elements 112, 114 interconnectedfor free rotation about a swivel axis. In this embodiment, each of thefirst and second elements 112, 114 has the surfaces and axle bore thatallow it to function as a boss. The first element 112 is connected tothe yoke component, as before. The device further includes a shackle 116that also has the bearing surfaces, axle bolt and axle bore that allowit to function as a yoke, and this is connected to the second element114 of the swivel. Thus, the device allows the shackle to rotate freelywith respect to the body 10 and can pivot to a limited extent about eachof the axle bolts of the first and the second elements 112, 114 of theswivel.

The device shown in FIG. 7 includes a first yoke component that isidentical to that of FIGS. 1 and 2. The boss component is constituted bya first part 120 of a swivel. The first part 120 of the swivel isconnected for rotation to a second part 122 that is integral with acarabiner body 124. This device provides, in effect, two carabiners thatare interconnected for rotation about a major axis of each carabiner andwhich can pivot with respect to one another about a transverse axis.

The device of FIG. 8 uses two yoke components, each of which isidentical to that of FIGS. 1 and 2. The boss component is constituted bya straight connector bar 130, which is shown in FIG. 9. The connectorbar 130 has spaced, parallel axle bores 132, 134, each of which canreceive a respective axle bolt 44. The connector bar 130 has parallelflat external surfaces 136, between which each of the axle bores 132,134 extends. Thus, the connector bar 130 can be located between thebearing surfaces of two yoke components, and allows these yokecomponents to pivot with respect to one another and with respect to theconnector bar 132 about parallel axle bolts 44. Between the flatexternal surfaces 136, the connector bar 132 has a peripheral surface138 of convex cross-section that creates a constant hole size in thebetween the shackle and the connector bar 130 as the shackle pivotsrelative to the connector.

The device of FIG. 10 can be considered to be a variation of the deviceof FIG. 8. In this embodiment, a connector block 142 shown in FIG. 11has axle bores 144, 146 that extend perpendicular to one another. Eachbore 144, 146 terminates at a pair of flat external surfaces 148, 150,one of each pair being shown in FIG. 11. Thus, the connector block 142can be located between the bearing surfaces of two yoke components 2,and allows these yoke components to pivot with respect to one anotherand with respect to the connector block 142 about perpendicular axlebolts 44. Peripheral regions 152, 154 of the block surrounding each ofthe axle bores 144, 146 has a convex cross section that creates aconstant hole size in the between the shackle and the connector bar 130as the shackle pivots relative to the connector.

The device of FIG. 12 can be considered to be another variation of thedevice of FIG. 8. The device of FIG. 12 uses three yoke components, eachof which is identical to that of FIGS. 1 and 2. The boss component isconstituted by a three-way connector 160, which is shown in FIG. 13. Thethree-way connector 160 has three spaced, parallel axle bores 162, 164,166 arranged in an equilateral triangle, each of which can receive arespective axle bolt 44. The three-way connector 160 has parallel flatexternal surfaces 168 (one being shown), between which each of the axlebores 162, 164, 166 extends. Thus, the three-way connector 160 can belocated between the bearing surfaces of the three yoke components 2, andallows these yoke components to pivot with respect to one another andwith respect to the three-way connector 160 about parallel axle bolts44. Between the flat external surfaces 168, the three-way connector 160has a peripheral surface 170 of convex cross-section that creates aconstant hole size in the between the shackle and the connector bar 130as the shackle pivots relative to the connector.

With reference now to FIGS. 14 and 15, a yoke component of FIGS. 1 and 2is modified by providing two sheaves 180, 182 on the axle bolt 44separated by a dividing plate 184. The sheaves 180, 182 can rotatefreely and independently upon the axle bolt 44. An end surface of thedividing plate 184 abuts part of the U-shaped section of the yokeformation to prevent it from rotating about the axle bolt 44 andseparates the parts of rope located on each sheave.

FIG. 16 shows another arrangement of a device embodying the invention.In this embodiment, the yoke component 190 is a simple shackle that hasa U-shaped body 192. End portions of the body 192 are formed withparallel, mutually facing bearing surfaces through which axle bores areformed. The boss component includes a carabiner body 194 from which aboss 196 projects. The boss has flat, parallel surfaces 200, 202 througheach of which an axle bore extends. An axle bolt 44 is inserted throughthe axle bores to interconnect the yoke component 190 and the bosscomponent 194 such that they can pivot about the axle bolt 44.

The embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS. 17 to 18 reverse thefunction of the yoke and body components as compared with embodiments ofFIGS. 1 to 15.

In the embodiment of FIG. 17, the yoke component 230 is a connector thatcan interconnect three similar or dissimilar boss components. Theconnector has three U-shaped yoke formations 232, 234, 236, each ofwhich has a respective axle bore arranged on the vertices of anequilateral triangle. This can be used to connect diverse bosscomponents such as a carabiner body and two swivels, as shown in FIG.17.

1. An assembled device comprising a plurality of yoke components, arespective axle bolt associated with each yoke component, and a bosscomponent being a connecting component: each yoke component including ayoke formation, which yoke formation is constituted by a U-shapedsection that is open to the outside of the body, and which defines aspace between two generally parallel legs, the legs having parallel,facing bearing surfaces through each of which a respective coaxial axlebore is formed; and at least one yoke component including: a. acarabiner body that includes a back, an opening, and a yoke formation,wherein the back extends from the yoke formation to an end that definesa first limit of the opening; and a spur extends from the yoke formationto an end that defines a second limit of the opening; and b. a gatecarried on the body and which can be pivoted between a closed position,in which it closes the opening, and an open position in which an objectcan be passed through the opening into or out of a space within thebody; the boss component having one or more axle bores extending throughthe boss component, associated with each axle bore there being a pair offlat, parallel external bearing surfaces, a respective axle bore openingat a pair of respective bearing surfaces and extending normal thereto;and an axle bolt passing through an axle bore in a yoke component andthe boss component.
 2. The assembled device of claim 1 in which the bosscomponent has a plurality of axle bores.
 3. The assembled device ofclaim 1 in which axle bores of the boss component are parallel to oneanother.
 4. An assembled device according to claim 1 in which the axlebolt can pivot with respect to at least one of the yoke component andthe boss component
 5. An assembled device according to claim 1 in whichthe boss component includes a spacer that surrounds a length of the axlebolt.
 6. An assembled device according to claim 1 in which the bosscomponent includes one or more sheaves carried for rotation about theaxle bolt.
 7. An assembled device according to claim 1 in which the bosscomponent is connected to a plurality of dissimilar yoke components. 8.An assembled device according to claim 1 in which the boss component isconnected to a plurality of similar yoke components.
 9. An assembleddevice according to claim 1 in which the boss component includes aswivel whereby part of the boss component can rotate with respect to theyoke component about an axis that is normal to the axle bolt.
 10. Anassembled device according to claim 1 that is part of a rigging systemfor use in climbing, rope access, working at height or lifting.
 11. Anassembled device comprising a boss component, a respective axle boltassociated with each boss component, and a yoke component being aconnecting component: the yoke component including a yoke formation,which yoke formation is constituted by a U-shaped section that is opento the outside of the body, and which defines a space between twogenerally parallel legs, the legs having parallel, facing bearingsurfaces through each of which a respective coaxial axle bore is formed;and the boss component including: a. a carabiner body that includes aback, an opening, and a boss formation, wherein the back extends fromthe boss formation to an end that defines a first limit of the opening;and a spur extends from the yoke formation to an end that defines asecond limit of the opening; and b. a gate carried on the body and whichcan be pivoted between a closed position, in which it closes theopening, and an open position in which an object can be passed throughthe opening into or out of a space within the body; the boss componenthaving one or more axle bores extending through the boss component,associated with each axle bore there being a pair of flat, parallelexternal bearing surfaces, a respective axle bore opening at a pair ofrespective bearing surfaces and extending normal thereto; and an axlebolt passing through an axle bore in a yoke component and the bosscomponent.
 12. An assembled device according to claim 11 in which theboss component includes a swivel whereby part of the boss component canrotate with respect to the yoke component about an axis that is normalto the axle bolt.
 13. An assembled device according to claim 11 thatincludes a plurality of boss components and a plurality of axle bolts,each of which passes through a respective axle bore in the yokecomponent and one of the boss components.
 14. An assembled deviceaccording to claim 11 in which the yoke component is connected to aplurality of dissimilar boss components.
 15. An assembled deviceaccording to claim 11 in which the yoke component is connected to aplurality of similar boss components.